In the thick of the holidays, many of us find ourselves counting down the hours until January 2nd. That’s because between the hustle of holiday shopping, events to attend, keeping the kids occupied and prepping our home for the in-laws, we long for our first chance to kick back and relax. And what better way to enjoy the post-holiday quiet than with a glass (or two) of wine nearby?

We’re no stranger to relaxing with wine in hand, so we thought we should share a few of our favorite ways to ‘wine down’ that are sure to work wonders for you after the holidays:

1. After yoga

Getting to yoga class is often a feat of strength in and of itself, so why not reward yourself for taking the time to practice? Turn your “Namaste” into “Namas-yay!” by enjoying a glass of post-yoga wine.

If you don’t want to go home for your sip of red or white, never fear – yoga pants are welcome at wine bars everywhere, including our very own tasting room! We even offer Yoga in the Vines during the warmest months, so join us for an al fresco class followed by wine tasting.

If you’re enjoying a home asana practice, you can keep your Pinot Grigio close to your mat – but just in case your dog has a mind of its own, we recommend using a stemless glass.

2. In the bath

Rub-a-dub-dub, two glasses in the tub! There’s nothing better than soaking away the stress with a bath full of bubbles and a glass of wine in hand. Before you turn on the faucet, make sure you have a fully stocked relaxation station. Light your yummiest-smelling candles and fill the tub with bubble bath, bath salts or a bath bomb in soothing scents like lavender or eucalyptus. Break out that face mask kit that you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Give your hair a deep conditioning treatment and soak until the water starts to chill. To finish pampering yourself into chill mode, grab some shea butter lotion and take your time applying it to your deserving, winter-abused skin. In an oasis like this, the wine is just the cherry on top!

3. By the fire

Sometimes, the best image of quiet luxury is a bearskin rug in front of a cozy fireplace. Do yourself one better by adding a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses. Before you settle down for your long winter’s nap, consider adding a few dried needles from your Christmas tree to stoke the flames. By the end of the season, those needles are dried enough to burn cleanly, filling your home with the delicious scent of pine.

For those of you who are heartier to Michigan winters, take the wine outside to the fire pit and get rid of that bulky tree the old-fashioned way. Disassemble the tree branch by branch and enjoy a bottle or two with friends or family while it burns slowly and safely. A winter fire is a feast for the senses. Burning your tree only kick-starts your New Year’s resolution to declutter or clean your home!

Whether curled up in a blanket with a book in front of the fireplace or lounging in an Adirondack in the dead of winter, fire is a perfect wine pairing.

4. With girlfriends

By the end of the holiday season you’re probably feeling the pull to reconnect with your girlfriends again. What better way to recount the hits and misses of your family’s holiday than while sharing a bottle or two with your favorite ladies?

Plan a girls’ date to the wine bar or a day filled with wine tasting. Getting out of the house, even in the middle of your self-induced winter hibernation, can re-energize even the most exhausted of hostesses. Revel in the freedom that comes from visitors leaving and kids going back to school and celebrate by clinking a glass or two. Our tasting room is open all year round and we would love to see you, even if there’s a little bit of snow on the ground. Check out our winter tasting hours here.

If sticking close to home is more your speed, invite your ladies over for an evening of wine and laughs. Grown women need slumber parties too. You could show off the holiday pajamas you bought. Have each of your friends bring a bottle to share and holiday leftovers that were a hit. You could spend all night recounting the highs and lows of the holiday season, laughing until your bellies ache, to get you well on your way to day-to-day life again.

Whether you are craving alone time, partner time, or lady time, the stress of the holidays can leave us all needing time to unwind. So relax, take the holiday load off, and wind down with a glass of your favorite red, white or sparkling. What’s your favorite way  to de-stress after the holiday season?